Deceptively Delicious

I recently bought the book Deceptively Delicous by Jessica Seinfeld (wife of comedian Jerry Seinfeld). Let me just say, I'm practically giddy over the results I've had with getting my EXTREMELY picky child (J7) to eat veggies without even knowing it.

Jessica talks about adding veggie and fruit purees to everyday kid fare ... thus deceiving your kids into eating food that is good for them. I knew that in theory this could work and had even thought of it a time or two, but I was still very cautious and unsure that it could work for my children (esp. J7 with all of his weird food issues). However, it is working quite well and not one of my children is wise to my plan. For example, the past few days I've been hiding carrots and squash in my children's much-loved ketchup ... which tonight J7 actually ate by the spoonfuls, obviously oblivious to my sneaky add-ins. (I love the part where he is "obviously oblivious" ... I'm discovering that there are times when deception can be wonderfully fun!)

Okay, enough of my shameless plug for this cookbook. Like I mentioned, I'm practically giddy with joy!

4-H Ice Cream!

Louisiana 4-H is 100 years old! It all began in 1908 in rural Avoyelles Parish where 4-H in our state began with a Corn Club. Today, Louisiana is one of only a few states where 4-H is a co-curricular activity and is present in every parish. For 100 years Louisiana’s youth have been given opportunities to become positive, productive, capable and compassionate citizens in their communities through the largest youth organization in the world known as 4-H.

So in honor of the centennial birthday celebration, Blue Bell ice cream has a special 4-H flavor! How wild is that?!? It is call Centennial Cupcake, and is a cake batter flavored ice cream with bits of yellow cake, chocolate icing and four-leaf clover sprinkles mixed right into the ice cream. And let me just say for the record that it tastes pretty awesome! (Of course, those of us with any sense already know that Blue Bell makes the very yummiest ice cream ... by far!)

For those of you in Louisiana, be sure to buy it when you see it in your stores. A portion of the sales of Blue Bell's Centennial Cupcake flavor will be used to promote 4-H educational programs!

J4's New Hairdo

J4 had longish hair. It was slightly past her shoulders, so that it was a nice length for a ponytail, but not too long if left down. This was the way I kept her hair ... the way I liked it just as soon as she had enough hair for me to start pulling up. She loved bows and ponytails and pigtails just as much as I loved playing with her hair. We were both happy ... or so I thought.

Then she turned 4 and something happened. Suddenly, little miss J4 didn't want me pulling her hair up into ponytails. She would take out barrettes. She stopped being as cooperative when I was trying to brush her hair. That hair was always hanging in her face and getting things (like food or playdough) in it. Washing it was a chore too.

So, I had it cut. I was nervous that I wouldn't like it short, but I think it is quite cute. I was even more nervous that J4 wouldn't like it. But it turns out that J4 loves her new bob, too (even though she isn't smiling in these pictures). When Pam (our beautician) twirled J4 around to look in the mirror the first time, she squealed and put her hands up to her face and gasped, "Oh, my goodness! I look great!"





These pics were taken the night she was in the Miss Paw Princess beauty pageant to support the local schools. Even though she didn't take home the crown, I thought she was incredibly cute ... esp. sporting that cute new hairdo.

The Precious Princess

Here she is ... Miss J4! My one and only little girl.

J4 is all sugar and spice. She has definite flair for dressing. Feathered boas, crowns, butterfly wings, ribboned hats and sequined Mardi Gras masks are among of her favorite accessories. She loves having her nails painted, and thinks that you aren't fully dressed unless you have on at least one piece of jewelry.



J4 has an active imagination. She loves to act like a ballerina or a cheerleader. She often pretends to be a mommy or a babysitter with her baby dolls. And if you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she will probably answer a fairy or a Care Bear.

I love my wonderful and amazing boys, but I am so glad that I also get to be the mommy of my precious little girl.

Big, Brave Boy

Why would this picture of my sweet J7 drinking water from the garden hose remind me of bravery? It would be because it took great courage for him to put his face near the water to sip of its coolness.

J7 has Asperger's syndrome. Children with this condition often lag behind in motor skills (both gross and fine), and frequently have sensory issues such as feeling overwhelmed by conditions that the rest of the world would sense as normal. Often, J7 wants to do something, but it is harder for him than it is for most other kids his age. And yet, time and time again he is willing to leap out of his comfort zone and do the very thing that brings him fear or discomfort.




This past year, J7 has done many surprising things. He learned to ride his two-wheeler. He overcame fear of bouncing balls to play on a basketball team. He took swimming lessons despite a major aversion to water. And, perhaps his biggest accomplishment of all, he rode down the zip line at the house of a family friend.

I cannot think of a braver soul than my oldest son.

Mr. Charming

This is my middle child (N6). He's been charming me with his dimples since he was about 10 seconds old. Now he is charming me all over again with his new snaggle-toothed grin. Of course, those gorgeous baby blues only pour on the extra charm! (I try not to be partial, but I do think he is one handsome kid.)




N6 has an infectious laugh and a fun (if not sometimes wacky) sense of humor. He is wildly dramatic at times and quick-witted for such a young guy. But my favorite thing about N6 is that he is simply the best encourager around.

Inspiring ENOUGH quotes

These are a couple of quotes I've come across this year as I've contemplated always having ENOUGH in God.


In essence, there is only one thing God asks of us- that we be men and women of prayer, people who live close to God, people for whom God is everything and for whom God is enough. – The Ragamuffin Gospel



All of You is more than enough for all of me, for every thirst and every need. You satisfy me with Your love.  And all I have in you is more than enough. –Chris Tomlin